— The Young and the Restless just killed off Brad but that won’t slow things down for the show. Expect Nick (Joshua Morrow) and Sharon (Sharon Case) to have sex when he goes to the cabin to tell his ex-wife about Noah’s accident. TV Guide caught up with Morrow and he told them he has loved working with Michelle Stafford (Phyllis), “But getting naked with Sharon again is exciting. I’ve been on Y&R for 15 years and most of that time was with her. So I’m feeling like a kid again!”. Still freaking out over Brad’s death? You really shouldn’t be. The signs have been there for the past couple of weeks. Don Diamont‘s airtime increased and many of his scenes this past week were very nostalgic. He shared time with all his ex-flames: Sharon, Ashley, Victoria, Traci and Nikki…couldn’t they squeeze in Lauren? Victor conspired against him and Phyllis even commented on why he’s still “breathing.” Check out ET Canada’s exclusive interview with the star here. Miss Brad’s final episode? Catch it here.
— Martha Byrne (ex-Lily/Rose, As The World Turns) is returning to the soap world but this time as a writer. The former ATWT start has joined the writing staff of The Bold and the Beautiful for a nine-week trial run. Byrne was first cast on ATWT in 1985 and won her first Daytime Emmy Award two years later. Byrne stayed in the role until 1989 but returned in 1993. In 2000, in addition to Lily, the actress also assumed the role of Lily’s long lost twin sister Rose. Byrne exited the series last April after negotations fell through. Byrne stated that the producers did not want to grant her the same amount of episodes as she had the previous year and quickly recast the role with Noelle Beck within weeks which resulted in much fan-cry.
— In related World Turns news…Maura West (Carly) is expecting her fifth child with husband and former co-star Scott DeFreites (ex-Andy).
— Anthony Geary (Luke, General Hospital) has inked a new deal with the show. Now, if only they brought Laura back permanently.
— Kelli McCarthy (ex-Beth, Passions) is trying her luck in porn. Her first film will be titled “Faithless.”
— Some buzz in the latest issue of Soap Opera Digest suggests that One Life To Live‘s Micheal and Marcie (Chris Stack and Kathy Brier) will be written out.
— General Hospital has cast Australian actor Nathan Parsons in the mysterious role of Ethan who will debut today (Jan. 30th).
— Ian Buchanan returns to The Bold and the Beautiful as Sheila’s ex-husband Dr. James Warwick for a storyline involving Taylor and Steffy. Buchanan’s original run lasted from 1993 to 1999 but has guest starred throughout recent years. The Scottish actor’s first US soap gig was as Duke Lavery on General Hospital in the 80s and a different character, Joshua Temple on the GH spin-off Port Charles from 2002-2003.
Now onto the scoops…a total of three characters will be killed off in GH‘s latest stunt. Nanzanin Boniadi (Nurse Leyla) and Ron Melendez (the recurring Dr. Andy Archer) have been confirmed. The third death is likely to be Stephen Macht (Trevor Lansing). Still no solid casting news on the role of Dante (Sonny’s secret son with Olivia). It could be either Tom Pelphrey (ex-Jonathan, Guiding Light) or David Lago (ex-Raul, Young and the Restless). With Lucky/Sam (aka LuSam) and Liz/Jason (Liason) over look for a Lucky (Greg Vaughan) and Liz (Rebecca Herbst) reunion during the toxin crisis. As if losing John and Marlena wasn’t enough, there’s a huge rumor that Days Of Our Lives is about axe another vet in March. Thaao Penghlis, who has played Tony and Andre DiMera off and on since the early 1980s will be offed in a murder mystery. This doesn’t look well for Leanne Hunley who plays Tony’s wife Anna either.
